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I’m determined to expose corruption in JAMB, sacked deputy director tells court

Usman told Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, while being cross examined as sole witness in the suit instituted against JAMB over his alleged unlawful dismissal.
While responding to questions put to him by counsel to JAMB, A. A. Owonikoko, the witness admitted writing petitions to various government agencies over alleged corruption in the board
The aggrieved ex-worker, who admitted receiving queries from the board and an invitation letter to appear before a disciplinary committee before his job was terminated, said he answered the queries and wrote a protest letter against the composition of the committee.
When Owonikoko asked Usman about the email message attached to the invitation letter, dated May 17, 2023, in response to the disciplinary committee’s invitation, the witness admitted writing the reply.
The lawyer then asked Usman to read out the printout of the email message dated May 18, 2023 in open court.
The witness, while reading, said: “Dear Directors, this is a follow-up to the two queries issued to me. I received a letter of invitation on Tuesday, 16th May, 2023, to appear before Disciplinary Committee.
“The attached is my response to the invitation for your information.
“This new development only renew my determination to continue with my quest for justice and my fight against the corrupt practices that characterise our organisation in the past six to seven years, which I stated in the letter, are perpetrated under the cover of the remittances made to the government.’
“It is of note that I am invited to appear before Disciplinary Committee while my contemporaries are invited to promotional examination to substantive director.
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“But I am not bothered because I do know for certain that God alone promotes.
“I am not deterred by this development, neither am I intimidated in any way.
“The fight against corruption and abuse of authority is the responsibility of every Nigerian. The law will take its course, no matter how long it takes. Thank you.”
He told the court that his reply to the query was submitted in hard copy to his immediate superior and because he wanted all members of the management to be privy to what was going on, he also sent the message to the email addresses of the directors.
“My Lord, the email was to communicate to the directors, the response to the query that was issued to me,” he said.
When Owonikoko told him that his email message was totally unrelated to the subject for which he was invited by the committee, Usman said: “My Lord, it is related.”
The ex-staff admitted writing several petitions against JAMB to different investigating agencies, including National Assembly, about the alleged financial infractions under the current JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
He admitted writing to Attorney-General for the Federation, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Department of State Services.
He also admitted writing to the Minister of Education, Head of Service, National Human Rights Commission and Bureau of Public Procurement about alleged corruption, harassment, victimisation and procurement infractions.
When the lawyer asked him that all his petitions were directed at indicting the JAMB registrar as corrupt, Usman responded in the affirmative.
Owonikoko also asked Usman to read out the last two paragraphs in his response to the disciplinary committee and he read thus:
“As a committed Nigerian citizen, my loyalty remains first to the nation before any individual. The fight against corruption is the responsibility of everyone.
“The threat of the registrar to cause me harm or have my appointment terminated will not deter me, neither will the continued attempt to malign me.
“I remain determined in the fight for justice and against the corrupt practices in the system. I will not back down for any reason until justice is done and seen to be done.
“And while I look up to God for complete respite, I wish to state it here that my life has been under constant threat for the bold action I took to disclose the corrupt practices in JAMB and the abuse of authority by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
“I reported this to the DSS and the IGP previously. I am again stating it here that if anything happens to me, the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and his DFA, Mr. Mufutau Bello, should be held responsible.’’
When the lawyer also asked him to read Paragraph 2 of the dismissal letter, Usman read thus:
‘‘This is sequel to the recommendation of the Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee after due consideration of your written responses to the allegations of serious misconduct leveled against you.
“And also after taking cognisance of your letter of 17th May, 2023, wherein you state never to appear before the Board staff disciplinary committee despite the formal letter of invitation requesting you to appear.’’
Usman, however, denied saying that he would never appear before the disciplinary committee.
Usman said his letter of May 17, 2023, in response to the disciplinary committee’s invitation, was to reject the constitution of the committee.
According to him, the reason stated, my lord, was that they were all complicit in the infractions I reported to the relevant government agencies, and for that reason, I was not certain of getting fair hearing.
When asked if he was aware that the committee did not include the registrar of the board, he said: “My lord, I am not aware.”
When also asked if he was aware that the registrar and Director of Finance and Account (DFA) recused themselves in the committee, Usman said: “My Lord, I was never communicated to that effect. So, I was not aware.”
He admitted saying that the DFA “has overshot his retirement period and occupying the office illegally.”
When the lawyer asked him if he named the DFA as a party in his suit, he said: “My Lord, my suit is against JAMB and the DFA is a management member in JAMB.”
Usman denied that the criminal charge preferred against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja was as a result of the investigation conducted into his allegations against the board and after they were found to be unmeritorious.
Owonikoko to Usman: “Confirm to this honourable court that when the present Registrar assumed office, he did an audit of the finances and it was in the course of this that the investigating authorities came up with some of these infractions?”
“My lord, that is not true,” he responded.
When the lawyer asked him to confirm the date the five-count charge was filed, Usman said it was instituted on March 30, 2023.
When the lawyer then asked if there had never been any investigation into the activities of JAMB by investigating authorities since Oloyede assumed office, Usman said: “My lord, there had been investigations indeed but the charge just read out was never part of that investigation.”
Earlier, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae admitted the list of the claimant’s documents and statements on oath in evidence as presented by his lawyer, Mohammed Shuaibu, and marked as Exhibits C1-C5, CE1-CE23, and C6-C15 respectively.
The judge said the admissibility was subject to the right of the defendant to object to anyone of them.
The judge adjourned the matter until Feb. 27 for the defendant to open its defence.
It would be recalled that Usman had filed a N150 million suit against the board over alleged unlawful dismissal.
Usman, in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/266/2023 and filed by his lawyer, Oseini Bamigbaye from the Chambers of Mohammed Shuaibu, sought nine reliefs.
While Usman is the claimant, JAMB is the sole defendant in the case dated and filed Sept. 29, 2023.
The claimant prayed the court to declare that the constitution of the Board’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee set up by the office was wholly irregular, illegal, null and void for failure to comply with Article 3.5.4 of the Board’s Staff Manual and Conditions of Service.
He also prayed the court to declare that the composition of the committee, mostly consisting of the board’s registrar and other directors who were beneficiaries of infractions exposed by him “in Item No. 6, Page 5 of his response dated April 3, 2023, to the query issued on March 31, 2023, is unconstitutional,null and void.”
He premised his argument on the grounds that his right to fair hearing could not have been guaranteed before the committee.
Usman urged the court to declare that “the claimant’s purported dismissal by the defendant without the consideration of the Committee’s Report by the defendant’s board is unlawful, illegal null and void.”
The claimant, who sought an order setting aside his “purported dismissal” by the board, prayed the court for an order reinstating him “to his position with full entitlements, benefits and perks due to him by virtue of his position.”
He sought an order granting to the claimant all the salaries, allowances, perks due to him or that would have been due to him but for the purported dismissal, among others.(NAN)
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Insecurity: Nigerian Army raises alarm over Influx of cattle into Plateau

The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.
He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.
According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.
“I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.
“There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.
“While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.
“Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.
“The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.
The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.
He, however, promised to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.
“The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.
“Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.
“To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.(NAN)
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Catholic cardinals call for worldwide ceasefire ahead of conclave

The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.
In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”
The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”
On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.
The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”
They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.
The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.
Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
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WHO decries 33-year life expectancy gap between rich, poor countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) says on Tuesday that more than 30-year difference in life expectancy between the richest and the poorest countries highlights global health inequities.
The global health body stated this in its ‘World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity’ launched on Tuesday by its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The report revealed that where one was born could be the difference between living over three decades longer than someone else from a poorer country lacking safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs.
According to the report, people in the country with the highest life expectancy will, on average, live for 33 years more than those born in the country with the lowest life expectancy.
It further revealed that lack of safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs could be responsible for a reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike.
“Our world is an unequal one. Where we are born, grow, live, work and age significantly influences our health and well-being,” said Ghebreyesus.
The report found that inequities in health were closely linked to degrees of social disadvantage and levels of discrimination.
“Health follows a social gradient whereby the more deprived the area in which people live, the lower their incomes are,” the UN global health agency said.
It stated that inequities’ were exacerbated in populations that face discrimination and marginalisation, such as Indigenous Peoples, who had lower life expectancies than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
According to the report, this is the case in both high and low-income countries.
The study was the first to be published since 2008 when the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its final report.
The report laid out targets for 2040 for reducing gaps between and within countries in life expectancy, childhood and maternal mortality.
It showed that these targets were likely to be missed and in spite of a scarcity of data, there was sufficient evidence to show that health inequities were often widening.
“For example, children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than in wealthier countries.
“Moreover, modelling shows that the lives of nearly two million children annually could be saved by closing the gap and enhancing equity between the poorest and wealthiest sectors of the population within low- and-middle-income countries.”
Additionally, while maternal mortality declined by 40 per cent between the years 2000 and 2023, the majority of deaths, 94 per cent, still occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.
WHO called for collective action to address economic inequality and invest in social infrastructure and universal public services.
The agency also recommended other steps, including overcoming structural discrimination and the determinants and impacts of conflicts, emergencies and forced migration. (NAN)